Headquartered in Natick, Mass., The Mathworks Inc. is a developer of mathematical computing software. Recently, the business, which has more than 3,000 employees, decided to expand its Natick campus. The company called on project engineering firm van Zelm Heywood & Shadford Inc. and architectural firm Gensler to design a new building by joining two existing facilities. During the planning, it was decided that replacing a series of separate filtration systems with one high-efficiency reverse osmosis (RO) system would result in significant benefits.

Mathworks called on Atlas Watersystems, which has provided the company with water purification solutions for more than 15 years, to provide RO filtration and water dispensing systems for the Natick headquarters. These systems would provide a more sustainable solution and help Mathworks reduce costs and save space.

Prior to this decision, there was concern about RO discharge. The amount of discharge water is dependent on the amount of water used and the efficiency of the filters. Considering the size of the system needed for the expanded facilities, a zero-waste system was deemed the most sustainable approach to this project.

To meet the zero-waste requirement, Atlas included an RO wastewater reclamation system. Discharge water fills a storage tank, where it is repressurized and disinfected for use flushing toilets and urinals. If the RO system does not produce enough wastewater to support the restrooms, it will simply fill the tank using municipal water. The disinfectant turns the water purple to indicate that it is non-potable recycled water.

In addition to providing Mathworks’ Natick staff with pure drinking water, the new system supplies filtered water for ice, coffee, soda, food preparation and more. Atlas continues to monitor and maintain the system to ensure that it is operating at peak efficiency and performance.